Unbreakable Promise

Chapter 14

"And your sister and War are... where?" Mad asks, placing a plate of eggs, sausage, and toast in front of the younger boy. Beck smiles nervously, his eyes darting between the food and the boy sitting opposite him. "Go ahead and eat," Mad says, waving his hand and leaning back in his chair. The older boy catches his eye. Beck can see a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Mad mouths the words cute and demon to the young boy. 

"Young Master," a voice rings throughout the room. Both heads turn towards the doorway while the newcomer rests in the shadows of the archway. "Your guest in lockup is getting quite restless- is there something you would like us to do with him?" The older boy's face instantly darkens at the mention of the man awaiting his punishment order. "Standard," Mad barks, "I'll take care of the dog later." Beck swallows nervously, washing the bite of sausage down with a drink of peach juice. "Is that necessary?" he asks hesitantly. The older boy shifts his gaze towards the younger boy, his eyes narrowing slightly. "He hurt you," Mad replies, "this is letting him off easy." Beck shifts his sitting position before continuing, "so, what are you going to do to him?" Mad arches an eyebrow at the young boy, reading his quiet eagerness easily. "Oi," Beck cries out as Mad flicks his forehead. "Snooping, huh?" the older boy accuses, flicking him again. "I've had men punished for less." 

Mad readies himself for another flick but the young boy catches him by surprise, his small hands grabbing the fabric of the older boy's shirt and pushing them down into the plush couch. Beck straddles Mad, smiling against his stubble, he whispers, "Punish me then." Mad raises his eyebrow, pulling his shirt over his head and discarding it across the room. Beck undresses, busying his hands with unbuckling the older boy's belt. Mad takes the leather belt from Beck and binds his hands with it, leaving the boy restrained beneath him. "You're at my mercy," Mad whispers, a teasing smile crossing his lips as he stares down at the boy. "Do me," Beck mouths, staring up at Mad with a devilish smile. 

"You never answered my question," Mad says, holding the boy tighter as he snuggles his small frame into his side. "War and your sister, are they okay?" Beck swallows, turning his face onto the older boy's shoulder. "They were when I left them," he answers, takes a breath, then continues, "my sister was hurt, not bad. But hurt. War was... injured. Severely. Dallas beat him pretty good". Mad sucks in a breath, his expression troubled and angry. "I'll kill him." Beck frowns and looks at the older boy. "Your friend will be okay, Maddox," Beck says, holding his stare. The older boy inhales sharply then nods. "He's more than a friend," Mad says suddenly, causing Beck to give him a confused stare. "He's like a brother to me," the older boy continues. "He's been there since I was young. Our fathers were close, they raised us to be partners. We were connected, always have been. He's like... the other part of me. We're two weapons carved of the same silver." 

"He's going to be okay," Beck says again, this time holding Mad's face in his hands. "I know," the older boy replies, smiling down at him softly. "And you will be too," Mad says, "I promise." 

Riona finds herself wandering the streets aimlessly. Her body screams for food and her throat encloses itself, desperate for water. She and War only recently parted ways, but her mind still nags her; go back for him. She forces herself forward, ignoring the sting in her heart when she remembers how they separated. Riona knows War is worried about Mad, she's equally worried about her brother. 

Riona glances down at her legs, the wounds swelling up with blood like new injuries. A greenish color has grown on the largest gash, about a quarter inch above her hipbone. She knows it's infected. The girl can't help but wonder if her brother ever got his wound cleaned. Did he disinfect it properly? Was he alone? Was he scared? Terrified? Did it hurt? All of these questions spun in her head, but not an answer was given. 

She walks into the hotel about half an hour later. Riona approaches the receptionist's desk, not at all surprised to find her conversation intercepted by an exceptional-looking older boy. She rolls her eyes, allowing him to pull her by her wrist to the elevators. "I am perfectly capable of finding my own way around town. There is no reason for you to follow me," Riona says. War drags her silently into the elevated contraption, her glare doing nothing to dissuade him. "You're injured. You shouldn't be walking around," the older boy responds. He slides the key into the door, watching the light flash green before pushing her inside. "Plus, you didn't bring money." 

"I would've figured something out," the girl mumbles, wiping her hand across her forehead. "I always do." War arches an eyebrow at her, his expression turning cloudy. "Are you feverish?" he asks, laying the back of his hand against her forehead. "You're burning up," War says, then swears. 

War tucks his arm underneath her legs, heaving her up and carrying her bridal style into the bathroom. He sets her on the counter, moving over to the shower to start the water. War begins to undress her, stopping when his eyes find the infected cut. He swears again, then continues to strip her. War stops when he reaches her bra and underwear, then pulls off his shirt and shoes. He guides her into the shower; the cold stream shocks Riona's system. War grabs a cloth and wipes away the dried blood and dirt from the cuts, washing them with soap before drying the saturated skin. 

"Could you have taken care of this by yourself too?" War asks, his expression furious. "War," Riona mumbles, her soft hands clinging onto the boy's shoulders and back. "I lied. I don't want you to leave." War falls silent at this, his eyes refusing to look any farther than the injury he is cleaning. "I lied. Don't leave... don't.." she trails off, her hands clinging to him tighter. "I won't leave," War says, flicking his eyes up to hers. "I'm right here, Butterfly."

War carries her to bed and hands her the proper medicine to swallow. She takes it and falls back onto the pillows, dragging him down with her. The boy slips beneath the covers, pulling the fabric around their bodies tightly. Riona nuzzles her head into the boy's neck, whispering the same words: I lied. Don't leave. 

War replies with the same answer each time she says it; he presses his lips to hers and kisses her softly. He holds her close as if hiding her from the world, and the dangers it possesses. "I hope Beck and Mad are okay," she whispers, letting the sickness delirium overtake her senses. "Me too," War replies, his voice ragged.